Streamside forests are among the most valuable parts of a watershed. Trees and shrubs along creeks shade the water, hold soil in place, filter runoff, store…
Posts
Why invasive species threaten streamside reforestation
When hickory nuts are ready for collection
Hickory nuts usually mature during the transition from summer into autumn, but the precise harvest window depends on species, weather, elevation, and local…
How to plan a corporate team-building seed harvest
A corporate volunteer day can do more than provide a change of scenery from the office. When employees collect native seeds for restoration, their time…
A Decade of Seeds, Volunteers, and Watershed Recovery
For ten years, Growing Native has connected everyday volunteer action with long-term forest and waterway restoration across the Potomac River watershed. The…
Upland And Floodplain Trees In A Living Watershed
A forest is shaped by the ground beneath it and the water moving through it. Trees growing on a dry ridge face different conditions from those rooted beside a…
How Schools Can Adopt a Seed Collection Plot
A school seed collection plot turns a familiar outdoor space into a living classroom and a source of future forests. Students can observe native trees through…
Understanding the Potomac watershed’s forest history
The forests surrounding the Potomac River have never been static. Their composition, density, and distribution have shifted with climate, fire, wildlife,…
A Practical Gear Checklist for Seed-Collecting Mornings
A morning spent gathering acorns, walnuts, and other native tree seeds can feel simple: walk through a forest, identify mature seeds, and place them in a…
How Forests Protect Clean Drinking Water
Clean drinking water begins long before it reaches a treatment plant or flows from a household tap. Across the Potomac River watershed, rain moves through…
How to Identify American Sycamore Seed Balls
American sycamore seed balls are among the easiest native tree fruits to notice once winter strips away the leaves. They hang from long, slender stems like…